AN agricultural firm has launched a competition to support a national charity for sick children.

Carrs Billington, which has a stores across the North of England including Malton, is supporting WellChild by donating at least £10,000 this year to support the charity's work with seriously ill children and their families

As part of their support they will be distributing the purple silage wrap and netwrap supplied by Zeus Packaging Group in WellChild purple. They will be asking farmers and contractors to show their support by choosing to buy purple and creating eye-catching displays from their hay bales.

Farmers taking part will send in photos of their creations to be displayed on the WellChild and Carrs Billington Facebook pages. The winner will receive two tickets to the WellChild Awards 2016 which will take place in London in October.

The event gives awards to inspirational children coping with serious illness, to caring children and to dedicated child health professionals.

WellChild chief executive Colin Dyer said: “We are delighted to have the support of Carrs Billington and Zeus Packaging and look forward to working with them during the year as they raise money to help fund our work with seriously ill children and the families across the UK.

"We know Carrs Billington is a well-respected brand across the rural areas of the UK and we are thrilled they have chosen to support us. We are looking forward to seeing the amazing models that farmers manage to construct from purple silage bales in their fields.”

Rae Tomlinson, managing director from Carrs Billington, said: “We are delighted to have the purple products in our stores and we are proud to be supporting such a worthwhile cause and making a valuable contribution to WellChild.

"I have no doubt that the creativity from farmers will result in some humorous displays in fields to amuse everyone and raise the profile of the charity amongst our communities.”

Carrs Billington Agriculture supplies the farming and rural communities with a comprehensive range of agricultural products and services. The firm has a network of 30 country stores with seven sub-stores to support the farming community.

For more information about the competition and the partnership, visit carrs-billington.com